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Saturday, September 24, 2005

We packed and got ready to ship some of our boxes today. I’m kind of glad but now that just leaves me with less area to put away and store my stuff. Our lockers aren’t that big, so now I have stuff in a duffle back and a rucksack outside of my locker. I have to make sure I secure it pretty good. I don’t think anything will get stolen; it’s just good to have our stuff secured. That way we don’t have to worry about anything being lost or stolen. The locks are just a security measure for the belongings.

The medicine I got from the clinic is working pretty well. It’s better then the stuff the medic gave me. I’m glad I went to sick call now. It isn’t a cure all, I’m still a little congested, but I could breathe better than before. It might be from all the dust floating around the barracks.

I might end up going to the gym tonight. I’m not really in the mood to go right now though. Now I have a little headache. I don’t know what’s going on with me. I think I might need some more rest. Luckily, we don’t have formation until 0615 hours tomorrow. That gives us an extra hour of sleep, which will be nice. We got off early today to which was also nice.

You know I'd like to be on the Top 100 of Milblogs.com. It's not a hard feat right now since there isn't too much competition. It would get my site more attention and more hits, which would be pretty cool. So, I'm asking you to go ahead and go over to www.milblogging.com and register. After registering you'll have to sign in, and click on Add to Favorites while viewing the milblog on Millblogging.com. You'll be able to find my listing after doing a search for Thunderhorse Roughneck. Remember, just scroll to the bottom of my listed page and click add to favorites. It should be easy for me to make the Top 100 for now. Thanks!

The NCO Creed
No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.
Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.
Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

If you've ever seen the movie Scent of a Woman starring Al Pacino you've might have heard his character, Army Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade say Hoo-ah a lot. It's a word we use in the Army all the time. Below is the definition.